2014 November Dollars & Sense

November 2014—Volume 3, Issue 11

Dollars and Sense

Cooperative Extension Service

Nelson County 317 S. 3rd Street Bardstown, KY. 40004 Phone: (502) 348-9204 Fax: (502) 348-9270 http://nelson.ca.uky.edu

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Healthy Living Nutritious Foods Embracing Age

8 5-6 11

Healthy Homes Financial Stability Nurturing Families

7 4, 10

Empowering Leaders Neat Ideas Upcoming Events

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The Nelson County Family and Consumer Sciences Program will be collecting new or gently used, age appropriate children’s books in an effort to provide reading material to students in our county who are less fortunate! Books will be distributed to students throughout the year.

Programs at a Glance: November 6: Crock Pot Cooking November 10: Arm Knitting November 12: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s November 13: Cookie Exchange November 25: Disaster Preparedness CALL TO RSVP! 502-348-9204

Food for Thought Children are not a distraction from more important work.

They are the most important work.

C.S. Lewis

It’s Almost Thanksgiving!

There’s so much going on this month that I have barely had time to sit at my desk. Hence the late newsletter!

I’m sorry for that.

This month, be sure to check out the first page and the next page for upcoming events! We have so many things going on that we had to spill it over onto two pages. That’s great news for you as a community member!

The book drive mentioned on page one is something I’m really excited about! Reading is SO important to a child’s future and you can help provide them with the books to get started on their journey!

Also, be sure to check out the piggy bank contest info! It’d be pretty cool to have a bank from Nelson County representing the district in Frankfort during the month of February. Make it yours!

CEA for Family and Consumer Sciences

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November 2014 Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sat

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

Extension programs are in blue. Community program dates are in red.

RSVP by calling 502-348-9204 November 5, 7: Introduction to Computers 9:00 a.m.

KY Career Center, 860 W Stephen Foster Avenue November 6: Crock Pot Cooking 6:00 p.m. $5.00 to attend, RSVP required November 12: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s 5:00—7:00 p.m.

Free to attend, RSVP required November 13: Cookie Exchange 1:00 p.m.

Bloomfield Library, 502-252-9129 to RSVP November 18: Veterans Career Placement, Training & Counseling 9:00 a.m.

KY Career Center, 860 W Stephen Foster Avenue November 21: All Pro Dads -New Haven 7:00 a.m.

Free breakfast served, New Haven School November 22: Wickland Christmas Bazaar, 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Wickland, Home of 3 Governors Every Tuesday from 8:30November 25: Interviewing Techniques 9:00 a.m.

12:00, the Kentucky Career KY Career Center, 860 W Stephen Foster Avenue Center will have KYNECT November 25: Disaster Preparedness 6:00 p.m. healthcare enrollment and Free to attend, RSVP required counseling available.

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Navigating the Holidays as a Caregiver Caregiving can be stressful, and these stresses can be exacerbated around the holidays as you are faced with added responsibilities and obligations. Whether this is your first holiday season as a caregiver or you have been providing care for years, you can do several things to make the holidays easier on you, the person you’re caring for and your extended family and friends by following the recommendations below.

Plan ahead. This includes shopping for gifts and food for the holiday meal(s) well in advance of the holiday. Doing so can minimize the chances you will feel rushed or stressed as the holiday approaches. In addition, it may help you spread out your holiday spending over a couple of months instead of just one.

Prepare your guests. This may be the first time your guests will see their loved one since you became their caregiver, and you don’t want your family members or the person you’re caring for to be frustrated or embarrassed by their health situation. Remind your guests of any physical and mental limitations your loved one may have. Celebrate the holidays where the person you are caring for resides. This can keep their stress levels lower as they don’t have to worry about traveling or being in an unfamiliar environment.

Ask for help. Have someone run errands for you, such as mailing Christmas cards or picking up items from the grocery store, or have them stay with your loved one so you can do those tasks. Most people are happy to help if you ask.

Take time for yourself. Take a break from caregiving and holiday planning to do something that you really want to do. Simple things such as taking a winter walk or enjoying coffee and a conversation with a friend can help to improve your spirits.

For more information on caregiving or holiday survival tips, contact, the Nelson Cooperative Extension Service.

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Put it in Your Recipe Box!

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Piggy Bank Design Contest Eligibility: Contest is open to school students attending public, private, or home school located within the Commonwealth of Kentucky enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

How to Enter: Eligible Youth must: 1. Create an original bank design that follows these rules: A. cannot exceed 12 x 12 inches B. must be able to hold coins C. must be decorated by the youth contestant Banks DO NOT have to be in shape of a pig and may be made from repurposed containers.

2. Submit entry to the Nelson County Extension Office by December 12, 2014

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Understanding Health Insurance Life is full of the unexpected, but insurance can help you somewhat prepare for those unplanned events. Health insurance is one of the many types of insurances you can purchase. Whether you have had insurance through yourself or an employer for years or recently became eligible under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, understanding your insurance benefits is important.

Before seeing a health care professional, you should determine whether your doctor, health care facility or other health professional is an in-network or out-of-network provider on your insurance policy. In network means the health care professional contracts with the insurance company to provide services. Some insurance policies will not cover an out-of-work provider.

It is important to understand your insurance policy as it refers to possible expenditures you will be responsible for either at the doctor’s office or at a later date. Much of this information is on your insurance card. Depending on your policy, you may need to pay a copayment, which is a set cost that you pay for a particular health care service at the time of service. These could vary depending on the type of doctor (family doctor or specialist), whether that person is in network or out of network and the health care environment where you saw them (emergency room vs. office setting). You may also have to reach a deductible, which is a set amount that you must pay out of pocket before your insurance plan begins to pay.

A few weeks after visiting a health care professional, you will receive a statement from the health insurance company.

This is usually not a bill but rather a statement showing the amounts you paid and the amount your plan paid. This document can give you a heads up if you still have a balance due to your healthcare provider. Unpaid balances can happen if the service cost more than the insurance allows for that particular service or it may be an excluded service that the insurance plan doesn’t cover.

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Apply to be our SNAP-Ed Assistant!

Job Description Under the supervision of the County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and/or Area Extension Agent for Food and Nutrition, the person filling the position will be responsible for teaching limited resource individuals and families about food selection and preparation for an adequate diet. Other topics include food safety and planning food purchases within available funds to provide maximum nutritional value.

Qualifications Knowledge of community organizations and agencies. Ability to plan, conduct and evaluate educational events. Oral and written communication skills and organizational and process skills. Ability to relate with adults and youth.

Special Requirements Twelfth grade education required. Possess a valid Kentucky driver’s license and insured automobile for business mileage reimbursement.

Application Deadline Applications are available at www.uky.edu/ukjobs.

Requisition number: RE01265 Applications are submitted on-line. For more information call 502-348-9204

Deadline for filing application is November 10.

University of Kentucky an equal opportunity employer. The address of the EEO Coordinator of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is Room C-3, Agricultural Science Center, North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0091.

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For the Kids 9-6

7-3

4 5

7-2 9-4 8-4

9-6

9-5

8-3 9-7

8-5 5

Do the math to figure out what color to use!

5—red 3—orange

4—yellow 2– brown 10

Preventing Falls Four simple ways to reduce the risk of a fall include exercise, healthy vision, safe home environments and smart medication usage.

Exercise, especially an activity that improves balance and coordination such as tai chi, is a key in preventing falls. Lifting weights can reduce the risk of a fall as it strengthens muscles and bones and helps you feel better and stronger. It’s important to consult with a physician or health care provider before starting an exercise program to find one that is right for you.

It is normal for vision to change with age, but poor vision increases the chances of falling. You can minimize poor vision by having annual eye exams, maintaining and wearing the correct prescription glasses and contacts, and controlling your exposure to glare and changes in light.

More than half of all falls occur at home. Living in an unsafe or cluttered environment increases the risk of falls. To avoid accidents, make sure tripping hazards, such as a grandchild’s toy or an extension cord, are off the floor. Proper lighting and appropriate shoes with non-slip soles and low heels are also helpful. It is also wise to wear an emergency alert button or keep a cell or cordless phone with you at all times in case of an emergency.

Finally, medication or a combination of medicines can sometimes have adverse effects that can make you feel dizzy or drowsy. It is important to have a physician or pharmacist review all prescription and over-the-counter medications to help reduce the risk of falling.

The fear of falling is also a risk factor for falls. Sometimes people become inactive or socially isolated because they fear falling. If you find yourself in this situation, let your physician know.

Your physician may help you get to the root of your fear or even refer you to a physical therapist who can design an exercise program to meet your needs.

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

502-348-9204

Bardstown, KY 40004

317 S Third Street

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PERMIT #028

BARDSTOWN KY

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University of Kentucky

Nelson County

NONPROFIT ORG

Cooperative Extension Service